2. Smyrna 40 mi. north of Ephesus
(Izmir, Turkey)
40 mi. north of Ephesus
Science and medical center. Know for wine, wealth and beauty
Known for it’s loyalty to Rome and Emperor worship
Temple of emperor, his mother, and senate
“Crown of Smyrna” – buildings surrounding hill and coin
Destroyed in 600 B.C. – nothing more than a village for 300 years. Becomes known as the “city that died, yet lives.”

3. 8 “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

4. 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer
10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.

5. “To the angel of the church in …Smyrna”
“These are the words of him who”…
“I know”….(commend or condemn)
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes”…

6. These are the words of him who…
Is the First and the Last
Isaiah 44:6-8. No God other than me
Isaiah 48: Reminding God’s people to stay loyal to his purposes and glory.
Who died and came to life again
Reminder specific to Smyrna.

7. Poverty why are Christians in poverty?
I know…
Your afflictions (“pressure” or “crushing weight”)
Poverty why are Christians in poverty?
Philippians 3:18-20
You are RICH!!
*Compromise becomes a theme in 7 letters

8. I know….
Slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
You will suffer persecution for ten days.

9. Will not be hurt at all by second death
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes…
Faithful to the point of death= Crown of life
Philippians 3:10
Will not be hurt at all by second death
Revelation 20:14
Our problem is that we compromise and we know it!

10. Do I compromise financially?
Do I compromise in terms of family?
Do I compromise sexually?
Do I compromise in generosity?
Do I compromise because of fear?
Do I compromise because I simply want to go unnoticed?